
Wladimir Klitschko, David Haye Continue The Public Battle
Wladimir Klitschko has again challenged David Haye to face him in a potential heavyweight unification bout on July 2.
David Haye: record, next fight and profile →

Wladimir Klitschko has again challenged David Haye to face him in a potential heavyweight unification bout on July 2.

Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (21-0, 15KOs) is now in position to fight David Haye (25-1, 23KOs) on May 21 at the O2 Arena in London. The WBA has appointed Povetkin to the number two position in their latest rankings. The sanctioning organization has ordered Haye to face the mandatory, Ruslan Chagaev, who is seated at number one in the rankings. Chagaev's Hepatitis B status may prevent a possible fight with Haye. The British Board is reviewing Chagaev's medical records. The involved parties expect a decision this week. If Chagaev is not approved to fight in the UK, then the WBA will order the next available contender in the rankings and that would point directly to Povetkin.

WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49KOs) is still willing to fight WBA champion David Haye (25-1, 23KOs) on July 2. Klitschko is already set to face unbeaten Dereck Chisora on April 30 and former two-division champion Tomasz Adamek in September. Klitschko doesn't care if the fight happens in Germany or England, he just wants to get Haye in the ring.

British heavyweight Dereck Chisora (14-0, 9 KOs) said that he continues to gain more confidence with each passing day as the fight approaches with WBO/IBF/IBO champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) on April 30. Chisora also criticized the actions of his fellow countryman, WBA champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs). Chisora believes Haye is too scared to fight the Klitschko brothers.

On Thursday, February 24, at the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in San Bernardino, California, The Empire Sports and Entertainment will proudly present the next installment of their "Fight Night in America" series, this time featuring James "Lights Out" Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs) defending his IBA Heavyweight Championship against Topeka, Kansas, veteran "Dangerous" Damon Reed (45-14, 32 KOs) in the Fox Sports televised 12-round main event.

WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch would have liked to take part in a doubleheader with his close friend, WBA heavyweight champion David Haye, but he doesn't believe it's possible. Froch faces Glen Johnson in the semi-finals of the Super Six tournament on May 21, which is the same date as Haye's scheduled title defense at the O2 Arena in London.

Bernd Boente, the manager for heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, is not putting any stock in the recently published comments from Adam Booth, the manager and trainer for WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. During a recent interview with British publication Daily Express, Booth set down a challenge for Vitali Klitschko in the month of May.

After assurances from both sides that the contest was practically a done deal, the proposed fight between WBA heavyweight title-holder and IBO, IBF and WBO boss Wlad Klitschko has against fallen by the wayside in the wake of Wlad's announcement that he will accommodate Derek 'Del Boy' Chisora and Haye's proclamation that he is no longer prepared to deal with either of the two Klitschkos.

BoxingScene.com spoke with Bernd Boente, manager of WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who explained the situation with the David Haye negotiations and the rescheduled rematch with Dereck Chisora.

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has branded Wladimir Klitschko a 'coward' and fears his hopes of fighting him are now over.